Pittsburgh Pirates: Things That Need to Happen in Second Half

BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Mike Burrows #93 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Mike Burrows #93 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Pittsburgh Pirates
DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Quinn Priester #40 of National League Futures Team pitches against the American League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Quinn Priester continuing to pitch well and develop

Now that Contreras is in the major league rotation, if Burrows isn’t the top pitching prospect the Pittsburgh Pirates have then it’s Quinn Priester. The 18th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Priester has risen to the Double-A level where he is pitching extremely well.

Priester has pitched 21.1 innings in 5 starts for Altoona. He has posted a strong 2.11 ERA and a 2.60 FIP in these starts. Priester has walked just 7.0% of batters faced with Altoona, while striking out 24.4% of batters faced and he has not allowed a home run.

Entering the season the biggest question with Priester was his fastball. It was a pitch that had issues with movement, becoming flat and hittable. However, Priester has added a sinker to help combat this. His breaking/off-speed pitches have worked great all season as well.

As the rest of the season unfolds the Pittsburgh Pirates will want to see Priester continue to pitch well. He may also be in line for a late season MLB promotion the way Burrows likely will be. Even if not, if Priester continues to do what he has done this season then the Pirates can start to salivate over the thought of having a top three in their rotation of Contreras, Burrows and Priester by this time next season.